Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders with Candy Bacon

Ingredients

• avocado oil (or olive oil), to taste (to coat the chicken)
• boneless chicken breasts (I use about 3)
• salt, to taste (for the chicken, both sides)
• onion powder, to taste
• garlic powder, to taste
• smoked paprika, to taste
• Cajun seasoning, to taste
• 8 to 10 strips bacon (I use thick bacon; any type works)
• brown sugar, to taste (to coat the bacon both sides)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• ranch seasonings, to taste
• fresh cheddar cheese, to taste (as much as your heart desires)
• slider rolls
• 1/2 stick butter (for the garlic butter)
• garlic paste, to taste
• salt, to taste (for the garlic butter)
• parsley, to taste (for the garlic butter)

How to Make It

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Rub avocado oil (or olive oil) evenly all over the chicken.
3. Season the chicken on both sides with salt.
4. Season the chicken with onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
5. Rub Cajun seasoning all over the chicken until it is fully coated.
6. Lay out 8 to 10 strips of bacon on a rack or pan.
7. Coat the bacon with brown sugar, then flip and repeat on the other side.
8. Place the seasoned chicken and the sugared bacon on the same pan (or use two separate pans if they do not fit).
9. Bake at 400°F for about 18 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is done to your liking (extra-thick bacon may need a little longer).
10. While the food bakes, make the homemade ranch: combine 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, and 1/2 cup buttermilk.
11. Add the ranch seasonings and stir to combine.
12. Pull the chicken once it is cooked through and juicy (about 20 minutes), then cut it up.
13. When the bacon is done to your liking, pull it and cut the candy bacon into pieces; set aside.
14. Cut the slider rolls in half.
15. Layer the chicken back onto the bottom rolls.
16. Add the candy bacon over the chicken.
17. Add fresh cheddar cheese on top, as much as you like.
18. Make the garlic butter: combine 1/2 stick butter, garlic paste, salt, and parsley in a microwave-safe bowl.
19. Microwave the garlic butter for about 30 to 40 seconds to melt the butter, then mix it together.
20. Spread the garlic butter over the top of the rolls.
21. Bake the assembled sliders at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and the bread is golden brown.
22. Serve with the homemade ranch on the side as a dip or spread.

Curtis's Tips

• I like avocado oil or olive oil for the chicken — the oil helps the seasoning stick and keeps the chicken tender, so rub it all around.
• Any bacon works, but I go with thick bacon. Extra-thick bacon cooks a little longer, so it may need more time than the chicken.
• The brown sugar gives the bacon a sweet, salty taste, and that candy-bacon step is honestly what makes the dish.
• Bake the chicken and bacon on the same pan if they fit; otherwise use two pans — it's really up to you.
• After about 20 minutes at 400°F the chicken comes out still juicy and very tender.
• Cheese is flexible — add as much as your heart desires.
• Spread the garlic butter wherever you'd like on the rolls.